Isaiah Richardson Jr
New York
Summary
Talented saxophonist, clarinetist, and harmonica player with background in performing complex orchestral pieces, both solo and as part of an ensemble. Strengths include ability to sight-read music at high level, adaptability to various musical styles and genres, along with leadership skills gained from coordinating small chamber groups. Have achieved significant positive audience response and contributed to the growth of previous ensembles.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
2015
2015
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Orchestra Musician
Lincoln Center Metropolitan Opera House Orchestra
New York
10.2023 - Current
- Collaborated with musicians to perform classical and contemporary orchestral pieces.
- Attended rehearsals and maintained high levels of musical readiness.
- Interpreted conductor's cues to synchronize performance with orchestra members.
- Demonstrated high level sightreading skills.
- Delivered high level solos on saxophone that received standing ovations.
- Written about well in articles and applauded by critics.
- 3000+ seat venue sold out.
- Was part of the Malcolm X opera the highest grossing opera of 2023.
Musician/educator
Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute
New York
02.2015 - Current
- Performed diverse musical repertoire during community engagement programs.
- Collaborated with educators to develop innovative music education workshops.
- Facilitated interactive music sessions for youth and families at local events.
- Worked with Carnegie Hall to create music workshops for inmates at Sing Sing Correctional Facility with various instruments which adds positive remarks to their cases.
- Created music workshops as well as performances at juvenile detention centers.
- Recording tracks at Carnegie Hall for students to create the music we've worked on then perform it live at Carnegie Hall.
- Perform at Carnegie Hall sponsored "Neighborhood Concerts" outside of Carnegie Hall.
Saxphonist
Leon Lacey Cinematic Orchestra
New York
10.2011 - Current
- Demonstrated high level sightreading skills for orchestral, gospel, and jazz stylings.
- Interpreted musical scores, maintaining artistic integrity during performances.
- Regularly supports Grammy Award winning artists such as Yolonda Adams, Kelly Price, Fred Hammond, Donald Lawrence, Hezekiah Walker, Tye Tribbett, and Kim Burrell.
- Performs at venues such as Radio City Music Hall, Cipriani, and Kings Theatre.
- Performs often in a smaller quintet combo setting backing artists as well as speakers such as self-help guru Iyanla Vanzant.
- Christmas spectacular tour with Kim Burrell.
Saxophonist
Deverne Williams and Vintage Soul
New York
10.2009 - Current
- Top 40's music and originals.
- Engaged with patrons, enhancing their experience through musical interaction.
- Participated in rehearsals to refine group dynamics and musical cohesion.
- Traveled extensively for tours both domestically and internationally.
- Transposed music to alternate keys to fit individual styles or purposes.
- Often backed Billboard Top 40's artists such a Meli'sa Morgan performing at Billboard Live Tokyo and Osaka as well as Salsoul Records legend Carol Williams.
Musician
Brown Rice Family
New York
12.2007 - Current
- Collaborated with band members to arrange original songs.
- Assisted in promoting events through social media channels.
- Developed strong interpersonal skills to deal with different personalities.
- Traveled extensively to perform at various venues around the world.
- Adapted to new songs, concepts and arrangements quickly and professionally.
- Networked with industry professionals in order to secure new opportunities.
- Instructed students on various musical instruments, techniques and theory.
- Created custom arrangements for songs to fit the venue or occasion.
- Engaged with fans through meet and greets, signings and other promotional activities.
- Researched genres and well-known performers to create inspiring, memorable performances.
- WNYC/NPR Battle of the Boroughs Champions defeating 524+ New York City bands.
- Provided background vocals to assist the lead singers.
- choreographed and improvised dance performance with the band to promote audience participation.
- Supported lead vocalists with background vocals as well as on occasional singing lead.
- Often overseas toured Japan through Antikythera promotion agency started by a former Johnny's Jr executive as well as independently as a band performing at infamous festivals such as Windblow (Shizuoka) & Sunset Live (Fukuoka), in Africa at the infamous MASA Festival in Côte D'iviore & Atlantic Music Expo in Cabo Verde, as well as The Hearth Summit in Slovenia.
- Performed regularly at famous venues and festivals such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Summerstage, Blue Note Jazz Club, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Webster Hall, Celebrate Brooklyn, Springfield Jazzfest, Blissfest, Japan Day Central Park at Summerstage, live on FOX News, WNYC radio at The Greene Space, and beyond.
Musician
Various
06.1998 - Current
- Mastered multiple musical styles funk, jazz, latin, klezmer, classical, smooth jazz and beyond.
- Speaks fluent Japanese as well as speaks Chinese and Korean.
- Collaborated with diverse musicians to create engaging live performances.
- Engaged with audiences during performances to foster a communal atmosphere.
- Managed setlists and transitions during performances to maintain audience interest.
- Mentored emerging musicians, providing guidance on performance techniques and stage presence.
- Played live shows with full bands and solo performances.
- Developed strong interpersonal skills to deal with different personalities.
- Traveled extensively to perform at various venues around the world.
- Played variety of music with broad stylistic range and improvisatorial flexibility.
- Performed with orchestras, symphonies, choirs, and bands.
- Adapted to new songs, concepts and arrangements quickly and professionally.
- Networked with industry professionals in order to secure new opportunities.
- Developed promotional material such as posters, flyers and websites.
- Managed requests for specific musical pieces.
- Performed often on live television as well as live on WBGO jazz radio, Fox news, on Broadway, theatre productions, Flushing Town Hall, and the Taiwan Center
- Regularly on television series and film as both a musician on HBO series such as Boardwalk Empire and Vinyl, as well as as an actor on current HBO and Netflix series such as The Gilded Age and She's All That.
- In Japan regularly collaborates with "New York Jazz in Gunma" and various artists to perform events across the country such as Gunma no Mori Festival, and venues such as Kasumichō Ongakudo, Toto Showroom Niigata, Niigata Jazz Street Festival, Daishi Hokuetsu Hall, perform live on Japanese radio, featured on Japanese television, as well as lecture at Dōshisha University.
- Featured in various newspaper articles as well as news in Taiwan and beyond.
Saxophonist
Brown Sugar Jazz Club Taipei, Taiwan
07.2008 - 10.2025
- Performed live jazz and top 40's dance music engaging diverse audiences.
- Collaborated with musicians to create unique and memorable performances.
- Maintained saxophone equipment for optimal sound quality during shows.
- Researched genres and well-known performers to create inspiring, memorable performances.
- Transposed music to alternate keys to fit individual styles or purposes.
- Played variety of music with broad stylistic range and improvisatorial flexibility.
- Accompanied singers or instrumentalists during live performances or recordings.
- Practiced daily to maintain and improve technical skills, tone quality, intonation, phrasing, and improvisational ability.
- Played three sets four nights a week in the house band with alternating singers and guest artists across various genres of music.
Musician
MAKU Soundsystem
New York
12.2011 - 08.2019
- Performed live music at community events and gatherings with diverse audiences.
- Collaborated with band members to develop engaging setlists and arrangements.
- Conducted rehearsals to refine musical performances and ensure cohesiveness.
- The album "Mezcla" was #1 on World Music Charts Europe on Glitterbeat Records as well as the music video of the title track "Mezcla".
- Participated in Globalfest.
- Toured the US, Canada, Africa, and Europe including the Roskilde festival in Denmark attended by 240,000 people and the infamous Rote Flora in Hamburg, Germany.
- Supported the lead vocalists with background vocals in Spanish.
- Was voted in the top ten of Tropical Music bands by MTV Iggy.
- Performed regularly at famous venues such as Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Summerstage, Millenium Park, Webster Hall, the Kennedy Center, WXPN World Cafe Live Philadelphia, The Orange Peel, Small World Music Festival in Dundas Square in Toronto (the Times Square of Canada) WFMU, WNYC, on live television such as Arte TV, comedy central and beyond.
Musician
Monsieur Perine
01.2016 - 02.2016
- Performed live music shows for diverse audiences at community events.
- Collaborated with band members to arrange and rehearse original compositions.
- Engaged with fans during performances to enhance audience experience.
- Toured with the group upon a Latin Grammy win and Grammy nomination.
- Performed on NPR Tiny Desk 16 million views as well as infamous venues such as S.O.B.'s, WXPN World Cafe Live, Boston House of Blues, and the Highline Ballroom.
Musician
US Marine Corps Band
06.1999 - 08.2003
- Collaborated with fellow musicians to create cohesive and dynamic performances for various settings.
- Designed and arranged musical pieces, showcasing creativity and artistic vision in every performance.
- Demonstarted high level sight reading skills.
- Stationed in Okinawa, Japan for one year.
- Performed before current and former US Presidents as well as former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.
- Performed at the infamous Minato Mirai Hall.
- Performed at the 50th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony for the Korean War in Incheon, South Korea in 2000 before all living Presidents including President Reagan, President Carter, and President Gerald Ford.
- In New Orleans regularly performed at Mardi Parades as well as various local festivals and venues.
- Often performed at large venues such as Yankee Stadium, Mall of America, football stadiums, and Jacob Javitts Convention Center.
- Often performed on live televison such as Care 11 Minneapolis.
- Played various styles of music from marching, classical, top 40's, big band, jazz, and beyond.
Education
Advanced Japanese Language
Hills Learning
New York , NY 07.2020 - 09.2022
Japanese Language
Japanese Society Toyota Japanese Language Center
New York, NY 10.2008 - 02.2010
Chinese Language And Chinese Music Taught in Chinese
National Taiwan Normal University
07.2008 - 09.2008
Bachelor of Fine Arts Jazz Performance, BA Asian Studies, BA Theatre -
City College of New York
New York, NY 08.2003 - 08.2008
Salsa And Latin Dance
Piel Canela Salsa Dance School
New York, NY 09.2003 - 06.2008
Chinese Language And Chinese Business
Shanghai University
12.2006 - 02.2007
Acting
HB Studios
New York, NY 01.2006 - 12.2006
Military Musician
Armed Forces School of Music Conservatory
New York, NY 10.1999 - 06.2000
Party Performance - Training in Magic, Face Painting, Balloon Animals
New York Clown Academy
New York, NY 01.1999 - 03.1999
Jazz Program
Harlem School of The Arts
New York, NY 09.1998 - 01.1999
LaGuardia High School For Music & Art And The PerformIng Arts
New York , NYMusical Advancement Program - Classical Clarinet
Juillard School of Music Conservatory
New York, NY 09.1992 - 06.1993
Chinese language, literature, culture
Nanjing University
Skills
- Sightreading
- Musical interpretation
- Concert preparation
- Instrument maintenance
- Improvisation talent
- Extensive performance background
- Orchestra experience
- Live sessions
- salsa dance
- magic
- Japanese, Chinese, Korean language
- Ensemble playing
- Genre versatility
Accomplishments
- NAACP ACT-SO competition winner Instrument Jazz, WNYC/NPR Battle of the Boroughs Competition winners
Certification
- Japanese Language Proficiency Test
Timeline
Orchestra Musician
Lincoln Center Metropolitan Opera House Orchestra
10.2023 - Current
Advanced Japanese Language
Hills Learning
07.2020 - 09.2022
Musician
Monsieur Perine
01.2016 - 02.2016
Musician/educator
Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute
02.2015 - Current
Musician
MAKU Soundsystem
12.2011 - 08.2019
Saxphonist
Leon Lacey Cinematic Orchestra
10.2011 - Current
Saxophonist
Deverne Williams and Vintage Soul
10.2009 - Current
Japanese Language
Japanese Society Toyota Japanese Language Center
10.2008 - 02.2010
Saxophonist
Brown Sugar Jazz Club Taipei, Taiwan
07.2008 - 10.2025
Chinese Language And Chinese Music Taught in Chinese
National Taiwan Normal University
07.2008 - 09.2008
Musician
Brown Rice Family
12.2007 - Current
Chinese Language And Chinese Business
Shanghai University
12.2006 - 02.2007
Acting
HB Studios
01.2006 - 12.2006
Salsa And Latin Dance
Piel Canela Salsa Dance School
09.2003 - 06.2008
Bachelor of Fine Arts Jazz Performance, BA Asian Studies, BA Theatre -
City College of New York
08.2003 - 08.2008
Military Musician
Armed Forces School of Music Conservatory
10.1999 - 06.2000
Musician
US Marine Corps Band
06.1999 - 08.2003
Party Performance - Training in Magic, Face Painting, Balloon Animals
New York Clown Academy
01.1999 - 03.1999
Jazz Program
Harlem School of The Arts
09.1998 - 01.1999
Musician
Various
06.1998 - Current
Musical Advancement Program - Classical Clarinet
Juillard School of Music Conservatory
09.1992 - 06.1993
LaGuardia High School For Music & Art And The PerformIng Arts
Chinese language, literature, culture
Nanjing University